Course Overview
Why study Sociology?
Are you interested in how people behave and interact with one another? How the media's view on the 'perfect body image' changes how men and women see themselves compared to other societies?
Studying Sociology will give you an understanding of the world that emphasises the interaction between individuals; teacher and pupil, within groups; different subcultures and social institutions; how people interact with agencies such as the police.
What’s on the course?
During your first year you will study key concepts and theories about social order, social control, social change, conflict and consensus. You will also look at social structure and social action theories and the influence of research on policies.
Firstly you will study Acquiring Culture where we look at family and households; how the family has changed and why, and also how childhood is influenced by cultural factors such as child soldiers.
Afterwards you will study Understanding Society and Methods where you will look at applying your knowledge of research methods to a particular piece of research material. You will look at education, media or religion. An area in education you may look at whether girls are still outperforming boys and if so, why? You may look at the media and how we are influenced by what we see on television and read in the paper and with the final topic of religion you will consider different religious cults and sects in society and whether religion and its place has changed over time.
Course Requirements
Course Progression
Course Assessment
The A level is awarded on the basis of exams held at the end of the second year which cover the full course.